Press Release
For Immediate Release
October 13, 2026
Contact
Jeffrey Pfeifer
Manager of Public Affairs and Community Engagement
(734) 973-6500
JApfeifer@TheRide.org
ANN ARBOR, MI -- The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) announced an award of $6.6 million in state funding to support the study of the Washtenaw Avenue/Huron Street/Jackson Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project through Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) competitive Infrastructure Projects Authority Fund (IPAF).
“We thank Governor Whitmer, Senator Jeff Irwin, Representative Jason Morgan, and the entire Michigan Legislature for their continued partnership and commitment to investing in public transportation,” said Matt Carpenter, CEO of TheRide. “This funding is a significant step toward realizing our long-term regional transit goals and will help us build a more connected, accessible, and efficient transportation system for the communities we serve.”
This funding from the State will enable TheRide to collect and analyze data and public input, begin preliminary engineering, and gain federal approval for a BRT concept on the highest transit ridership corridor in Washtenaw County. This effort will translate a long-established policy priority into a tangible and feasible concept focused on safety and moving people. Bus Rapid Transit projects can be found across the country and the globe and are high-quality bus-based transit systems that deliver fast and efficient service. Throughout the process, TheRide will prioritize community and stakeholder engagement, with numerous opportunities for public input and feedback.
The $6.6 million award is part of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s newly established Infrastructure Projects Authority Fund (IPAF), which supports transformational transit projects that improve mobility, reliability, and regional connectivity.
The latest information on TheRide’s routes, schedules, and detours is available at 734-996-0400 and on TheRide.org.